Rodgers: Everton Loss A Great Learning Game For Us

Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers says today's defeat at home to Everton was a great 'learning game' for his side.

David Moyes' side did a good job on the in-form Swans. They set up exactly like you should to get a result at the Liberty Stadium. They pressed us high up the pitch and gave us very little time and space to settle into our passing game.

Goal opportunities were few and far between in the first half, as Swans could only create half chances against an Everton team who were set up well to limit the host's threat on goal.

Everton grew into the game in the second half, and Baines got them on their way on the hour mark with an excellent free-kick before Jelavic doubled their lead 17 minutes later.

Rodgers made a triple substitution but they couldn't find their way back into the game in the last 14 minutes.

'Today was a great learning game for us,'

'To compete and play at this level we need to be right at our very maximum and if our passing is just a wee bit off or our touch then we will get punished and that will be the lesson learned from today.

'It was a tight game right up until the goal, we switched off a little bit and allowed Leighton Baines to make the run inside and give away the free-kick. But give credit to Baines, it's a wonderful free-kick.

'Then this is an Everton team with great experience, there is a lot top players in that group so I'm not going to get too down on our players because they've been incredible up until now.'

Rodgers praised his players, but also the opposition - only the third team to get a win at the Liberty Stadium this season.

'The plaudits were fantastic, but that's for the outside, this is an honest group of players who work tirelessly every single day,'

'They are certainly a very humble group of players so they won't get carried away with it all.

'We're obviously disappointed with the result. The boys were brilliant, they gave everything in the game, their energy and commitment was first class but you also have to give credit to Everton.

'The players have been incredible this season so we just have to finish the season well and play as well as we can.

'But we also know we are against top players and top opposition and it won't go your way if you are not at the top of your game.'

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